Bridget McKenzie

Biography

Bridget was born in rural Victoria in the small town of Alexandra. She was raised to be proud and passionate about regional Australia with the traditional rural influences of small business, sport and agriculture.

Bridget has completed a double degree in applied science (specialising in human movement) and teaching (specialising in mathematics). She later went on to conduct research in physical activity with young women in rural settings. During 2009–2010, Bridget was a lecturer for the Faculty of Education at the Monash University.

Bridget's experiences as a secondary school teacher and university lecturer have fuelled her passion for education and Australia's young people. She is committed to improving opportunities for young Australians, no matter where they live.

As an agent for change, Bridget is committed to increasing the profile of sport in Australia, promoting women's sport and equality more broadly. She wants everyone, but particularly women and girls to feel empowered through sport.

As a general sports enthusiast, Bridget is proud to promote healthy, active lifestyles. She continuously encourages her fellow Aussies to get out there and get active and participate no matter their ability or age. She believes that sport and physical activity are powerful mechanisms that connect communities.

As the Minister for Regional Services and someone from a rural town, Bridget understands and recognises the vital importance of access to 21st century communications, healthcare services and education.

Bridget's focus is on encouraging the health workforce to the regions so Australians in rural towns have access to a similar level of services as the rest of the country. This will have a positive effect on the overall health of regional Australia including mental health.

Having lived in rural Victoria, Melbourne and overseas, Bridget is firm in her belief that strong regional economies and secure regional communities are critical to the future prosperity of Australia and acknowledges the critical role Local Government plays in ensuring that their communities continue to grow.

Bridget was elected to the Senate of Victoria in 2010 and was re-elected in 2016. She was elected Deputy Leader of The Nationals and appointed Minister for Rural Health, Minister for Sport and Minister for Regional Communications in December 2017. In August 2018 Bridget was named Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation.

In her role as Senator for Victoria, Bridget has chaired a number of committees including the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee as well as the committee for Joint Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee, Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity committee and the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee.

As the Deputy Leader of The National Party, Bridget is committed to ensuring that all Australians, regardless of where they live, have access to opportunities that will benefit them and their local communities.

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Regional telecommunications report tabled

04 December 2018

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Minister for Regional Services, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has tabled the report of the 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review, which makes a series of recommendations to improve telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Senator McKenzie welcomed the findings and said the Liberal National Government will be taking the recommendations very seriously.

“Telecommunications touches every aspect of life for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia. This report is a vital check-up on the health of regional communications. Now more than ever it is critical that we get connectivity right in our regions,” Minister McKenzie said.

“We know that better regional communications is a key to growing local communities. As Regional Capitals Australia said in a submission to the Productivity Commission, ‘Better internet connections draw jobs to regions not just by attracting businesses, but by attracting workers for whom fast broadband is a baseline requirement to move to an area.’

“This Liberal and Nationals Government has a proven track-record of investing in and delivering regional telecommunications. Our highly successful $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program is expanding mobile coverage across Australia and is already making a real difference.

“The regional rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is almost complete and NBN Co recently announced plans to boost data for rural and regional Australians on the Sky Muster satellite service. The Liberal National Government is also consulting on new arrangements to modernise our Consumer Protections Framework.

“The Committee was the most consultative ever held, with 22 public sessions across the country, from Kalgoorlie to Katherine and Whyalla to Narrabri. More than 380 submissions were also received from a range of individuals and organisations.

“I thank the Committee for their comprehensive report and for everyone who participated in the review.”

The Government will respond to the Committee’s recommendations in early 2019.

The review is conducted every three years by an independent Committee.